In New Jersey, our Medical Laboratory Science program is the state’s only university-based bachelor’s degree program. Our graduates work in hospitals, physician offices, veterinary labs, national and regional testing laboratories, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical and cosmetic industries, health agencies, research and teaching institutions and use their degree as a preparation for advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry or biomedical sciences.

Our 45-credit, curriculum begins in the summer semester. It can be taken full-time in four semesters, or part-time in eight semesters. It is located on the Newark campus, with some didactic components offered online. On and off-campus practical experiences complement classroom instruction.

After completion of the medical lab science program, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam in Medical Laboratory Science with the American Society for Clinical Pathology – Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).

Students in our Medical Laboratory Science bachelor’s degree program learn to use sophisticated microscopes and instruments and perform biochemical, microscopic, molecular, and immunological tests to analyze blood, tissues and other medical specimens. In a clinical laboratory, they use their skills in science, biotechnology, and medicine to provide essential information to physicians and other health care professionals. Working in a laboratory requires excellent technical skills as well as problem-solving, data analysis, computer skills and good oral and written communication.

The practice of modern medicine would be impossible without the valuable services provided by medical laboratory scientists.

Fast facts:

98 percent of our Medical Laboratory Science graduates find employment in their field

Rutgers University is ranked #1 in health professions in the country by College Factual

We offer career laddering from a bachelor’s degree to a Doctorate in Clinical Lab Science

3 options:

Joint Baccalaureate Degree: For students who have completed a minimum of 88-90 credits of general education and prerequisite basic science coursework at one of 13 collaborating NJ Colleges and Universities.

Second Baccalaureate Degree: For students who have completed prerequisite basic science requirements and have previously earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or baccalaureate-equivalent degree from an international college or university.

Certificate: For international students who have completed prerequisite basic science requirements and have an international bachelor’s equivalent degree from a non-accredited college or university.

Out of the 169 program graduates who took the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certification exam given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) –Board of Certification in 2012-2017, 145 (86%) passed the exam on the first attempt.

Attrition Rate

Approximately 90% of the students that begin the Medical Laboratory Science Program successfully complete the program.

The employment outlook is excellent. There is a national and regional shortage of clinical laboratory professionals and many employment opportunities are available in clinical laboratories of hospitals, commercial and reference laboratories, physician offices and health clinics and local and State public health departments.

Overall employment of medical laboratory scientists and technicians is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the US. Bureau of Labor Statistics. An increase in the aging population is expected to lead to a greater need to diagnose medical conditions, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory procedures.

1) to prepare competent Medical Laboratory Scientists to function in the clinical laboratory science field at the baccalaureate level;

2) to provide the student with a broad-based background to serve as a foundation for future growth and development;

3) to prepare graduates to adapt to a changing health care environment.

The curriculum covers all the major areas of Medical Laboratory Science with additional experiences provided in laboratory management, statistical analysis and laboratory method evaluation, research methods, and molecular diagnostics.

Students from collaborating NJ Colleges and Universities seeking admission to the Medical Laboratory Science Program as the professional component of the joint Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science (BS in CLS) degree program can find prerequisite courses here.

Hold a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. accredited academic institution. If the baccalaureate degree is from a foreign country, it must be evaluated as equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree. The preferred evaluation service is the World Education Services. www.wes.org.

A second baccalaureate degree will be granted to a student with a bachelor’s degree equivalent from another country, providing the institution is accredited. Students with a bachelor’s degree equivalent, international degree from a non-accredited institution, will receive a certificate of completion.

No matter which route a student applies for: joint degree, second bachelor’s degree or certificate, they will be eligible to sit for the national ASCP exam in the category of Medical Laboratory Scientist.

Achieve a minimum of 79/80 on the Internet-based or 550 on the written TOEFL exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language) if the applicant’s native language is not English.

The 15-month Medical Laboratory Science curriculum prepares graduates for entry-level practice in scientific/technical areas, supervisory/management positions, education, and research. It is also designed to socialize the student to the attitudes and values of the profession, to provide an overview of the legal, ethical, economic, political and social aspects of the profession and the health care delivery system in general, and to instill a commitment to life-long learning. Finally, the curriculum is designed to expand generic skills in effective communication, problem-solving and self-directed learning.

A: The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program is the only university-based program of its kind in New Jersey. The curriculum consists of 45 credits of professional coursework taken in 15 months starting with the summer semester. The curriculum covers all major areas of Medical Laboratory Science with additional experiences provided in laboratory management, statistical analysis and laboratory method evaluation, research methods, and molecular diagnostics. We are located on the Newark campus, with some didactic components offered online. On- and off-campus practical experiences complement classroom instruction.

A: A minimum GPA of 2.85 and a C or better in all prerequisite coursework is required. Students from collaborating NJ Colleges and Universities seeking admission to the Medical Laboratory Science program as the professional component of the joint Bachelor of Science degree program must complete 88-90 general education and basic science courses prior to admittance. All other applicants must meet the following requirements:

Possess a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. accredited academic institution. If the baccalaureate degree is from a foreign country, then it must be evaluated as equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree.